Lepton of Alexander Jannaeus c. 103 - 176

Curator: This is a lepton, a small coin, from the reign of Alexander Jannaeus. Editor: It looks like something you'd find buried in your backyard! A small disc, worn and green with age... but something about the symbols is really intriguing. Curator: Indeed. Let’s consider the structure of the coin itself: observe the distinct motifs, a star-like design on one side and an inscription on the other. The coin is small, a humble 1.17 grams, but its materiality speaks volumes. Editor: It makes you wonder who held it, what they bought with it, you know? It's a tiny portal back to their lives, their worries, their day-to-day hustle. Curator: A tangible relic. The coin’s composition, its design elements—they all point to the ruler’s cultural aspirations and dynastic ambitions. Editor: For me, it's about that quiet connection to the past. I love how such a small object can hold such a weight of history, even if we can only imagine it. Curator: Precisely. It is a starting point to explore history and the life of ancient civilizations.